by Lynn Landes
“Anna is used to the comforts of the city, Gramps,” Chandler smiles, “and I want her to be happy and comfortable. Especially now that she’s giving me a son,” he announces and waits for the shouts of excitement.
Pride colors his face as he accepts the congratulations. It’s a night of laughter, community and love.
Chapter 35
“It’s a full day’s ride, on horse-back through Apache territory to get the Legacy Ranch,” the older man grumbles. “Not even a real ranch, by my way of thinkin,” he snaps.
“What does that mean?” Maggie demands.
“It’s what you’d call a “Gentlemen’s ranch,” he sneers and Maggie glares at him. Her father steps in front of her before she can bite his head off.
“Perhaps you could point out someone who would be willing to take us?” Conner asks.
“Check at the livery,” he stalks off and Maggie glares at his back.
“What’s a gentlemen’s ranch, Pop?”
“I’d say we’re going to find out, but first I need coffee,” he laughs as he guides her to the shop.
Conner insists that she wait at a table while he buys them two coffees. Maggie sits at a corner table and thinks about the past week with her father. Magical, healing, those are the only two words she can think of. They’ve spent the week talking, reminiscing and getting to know each other again. More than once he’s had to talk her into continuing the journey.
Two girls sit at the table next to her and Maggie watches her father at the counter.
“It’s Friday,” one of the young girl says to her friend.
“Really? Are you going?”
“Shepherd Millard is back, Francis!” she giggles, and Maggie stiffens but listens intently.
“No!” she gasps. “I thought he was in California,” Francis stammers.
“Who cares, he’s back. Mother insisted we go to the dance you have to go with us.”
Francis shrugs, “I will ask and let you know. Mothers at the Mesa dress shop,” she fans her dark hair from her face and blushes. “Do you think he would dance with me?” she asks.
“Who wouldn’t? Father is at the livery making arrangements. They say it’s safer to travel in a group.”
“Perfect, let’s go ask my mother now!” the run giggling from the shop and Maggie sits smiling and waits for her father.
“What’s got you so excited?” he asks with narrowed eyes.
She quickly recounts what she heard, and he grins. “Perfect, I’ll make arrangements to travel with them.” He drinks his coffee quickly and Maggie agrees to wait for him to return.
Shep’s so close, she thinks and frowns in the direction of the door. “Perhaps I should check out the dress shop?” she murmurs as she sips on her coffee.
Maggie grins as she asks the clerk to inform her father where she is when he returns. Walking down the street she spots the two girls through the window of the Mesa dress shop.
The moment she enters the shop she can hear the whining. It makes her smile to think of Shep having to listen to it and how he’d respond.
“Mother, you aren’t listening. I could make a match,”
“Enough,” her Mother snaps. “We will discuss this at home,” she drags her from the shop leaving her friend behind.
“May I help you?” a gentle voice asks.
Maggie turns and is stunned by the dark-haired beauty. “Oh, yes, I’m looking a lighter weight travel dress,” she says.
“My name is Ingrid,” she frowns as she looks up at Maggie. “You’re very tall,” her eyes light up and she claps her hand. “I have just the thing, stay here!” she rushes from the floor to the back of the room leaving Maggie looking stunned.
“Ingrid has a way of doing that,” the girl from the coffee shop says.
“Magdalaine Rose,” Maggie says with a smile.
“Avery Andress, it’s a pleasure to meet you and she’s right, you are tall,” Avery says with a laugh.
“I know, it’s been a curse and a blessing,” she sighs. “I’m from Minneapolis and I wasn’t prepared for the warm weather.”
“You’re a ways from home,” Avery says with a curious look in her eyes.
“I’m traveling to the Legacy Ranch with my father on business,” Maggie says.
“Oh? You’re just in time for the dance on Friday. Some are even calling it a ball,” Avery laughs. “I’m picking up my dress today. I’m sure you will be invited.”
“I don’t know, we are having a terrible time making arrangements to travel to the ranch.” Maggie waits with Avery as she tries on her gown and explains her problem.
“I will speak to my family. You must travel with us. It’s not safe to go alone. What do you think?” Avery is dressed in a gorgeous copper gown, that sets off the copper highlights in her hair.
“Stunning!” Maggie says and she means it.
“Ingrid is amazing,” she laughs. Maggie tries on the dress, Ingrid brings, and she makes adjustments to it as she waits.
“This is perfect, Ingrid! The cotton is so soft,” she runs her hands over the light blue dress and stares at herself in the mirror. “I’ll take it and if you don’t mind, I’d like to wear it out.”
Maggie pays as Avery changes back and Ingrid wraps up her old dress for her to take with her. While Maggie shops for two more dresses, Avery chats and she discovers that she is a teacher. Her family owns the corn mill in town.
“You must travel with us. It’s meant to be,” Avery demands, and they arrange to meet on Thursday morning at the livery.
Her father smiles when she exits the shop and stares at his daughter. “You look a vision, daughter,” and Maggie smiles.
“Thank you, what did you find out?” she waits to tell him about her meeting, and he grins.
“Perfect. Now let’s go have dinner.
Chapter 36
“Friday, you will forget all about this nurse,” Anna teases. “I’ve invited every single girl in town.”
Shep glances at his cousin as he laughs, “Chandler, it’s not funny,” he hisses.
“What’s wrong?” His mother Alice asks.
“Shepherd is pining for his blonde nurse,” Graham teases over dinner.
Boone glances at his wife who is frowning at the look on her son’s face. “Well, is she worth it?” his mother demands.
“Yes, and I broke her heart,” Shepherd snaps, slamming his cup on the table. “I didn’t come home to laughed at.” He marches from the room and into the courtyard, leaving a stunned family behind.
“Shepherd?” His mother says and walks over to look up at him. “What’s going on?” she demands.
“I thought Dad would’ve told you everything by now.” He runs a hand over his bearded face. She grips his hand and pulls him to a chair.
“Talk,” she demands. Shep talks, he tells her everything sparing no detail. His mother laughs and cries with him as he tells the story of how they met. “Oh, you’ve messed this up, son.”
“I know.”
“At the very least you need to apologize to her,” she insists.
“I will. I’m leaving next week,” he glances at her and jerks when she asks, “Do you love her Shepherd?”
“I think I should share that with her first, don’t you?” he asks.
“Absolutely. Try and enjoy the dance and your family while you are with us.”
“I’ll try. Now I need to go apologize for being a jerk.” They walk back inside, laughing together.
Chapter 37
“I know what you’re thinking, Magdalaine, and we’ve come all this way. Don’t lose your faith now,” Conner insists as they follow the guests from the stable.
An older man is giving them directions and the host is welcoming guests inside. Maggie stops walking and is terrified. “What was I thinking?
“It’s going to be fine,” he insists, and they step aside to let the guests pass them.
“Dad, it isn’t just about faith,” she says once they are past.
&nbs
p; “No, it’s a question of hope,” he says softly. “You stopped dreaming, believing and hoping years ago, and it’s time to fix that, Magdalaine.”
Aged eyes watch them from the corner, and he smiles slowly when he hears her name.
“That’s an unusual name,” he says as he steps up to them. Both of them look up and her father grins.
“It means, sweet of heart. My name is Conner O’Malley, may I present my daughter, Magdalaine Rose O’Malley.”
“Magdalaine Rose, Shepherd’s Rose?” he asks with a startled look.
Maggie jerks in surprise and nods.
“Well, this is a surprise.” He takes her hand and presses a kiss to the back of her hand, “Raphael Louis Millard, at your service.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, are you Shep’s father?” she asks.
He throws back his head laughing, “No, if I was, he’d never have treated you so disgracefully.” His smile fades, “He’s missing you something fierce. You’ve had a time of it haven’t you?”
“Nothing that she couldn’t handle,” Conner quips. “We’ve come to see Shepherd, can you let him know we’re here?”
“I could, but I don’t think I will, just yet. Come meet my wife,” he offers and arm to her and Maggie loops her arm through his without hesitating.
“I can see where Shepherd gets his charm,” she teases as they walk through the barn to a covered tunnel.
“We will take the private entrance reserved for family,” he guides them through a tunnel and soon they are in a courtyard. “The house is designed in a way to provide security and privacy.”
“It’s lovely,” she murmurs and glances nervously at her father.
Raphael takes her hand and stops at the door. He looks at her hand and flips it over, inspecting it and smiles. “Forgive me, but I was curious,” he grins at her look of confusion and opens the door to guide them inside a large spacious kitchen. Three women are working, and two others are going over lists at the table.
“Ismay, Alice, may I introduce our guests,” Raphael calls out surprising all of them.
Maggie is horrified, she’s covered in dust from the trail and judging from the shock on their faces it shows.
Conner grips her elbow gently in a show of support as the women stand and hurry over.
“Ismay is my bride,” Raphael says with a gentle smile and Alice is our daughter in law. Shepherd’s mother,” he explains.
“Oh,” Maggie whispers. “It’s a pleasure to meet you,” she says softly.
“Conner O’Malley,” her father says and nudges his daughter.
“Magdalaine Rose O’Malley,” she curtsies as they both gasp.
“Shep’s Magdalaine?” Alice exclaims. Conner grins and Maggie blushes.
“The one and only,” Raphael says with a wide smile.
Ismay laughs with delight. “This is incroyable, refreshments, Alice,” she says and guides them from the kitchen into a sitting room.
Conner is concerned about Maggie, she’s shaking and incredibly nervous. “Please forgive the intrusion, but I need to see Shepherd. We have some things to discuss.”
“I understand,” Alice nods as she walks in carrying a tray of fresh berry tea. Placing the tray on the table between them, she sits and smiles. “I’m afraid Shepherd isn’t here.”
Conner grips her hand and they watch what’s left of the color drain from her face.
Ismay sits on the other side of her and offers her a sip of tea. “Try this it will refresh you,” she insists.
Maggie sips and no one misses the way her hands tremble. “This was a very bad idea,” she looks at her father with tears in her eyes, “We should go home.”
“No,” Raphael sits in a large leather chair that is well suited to his side. “Shepherd told us your story, Miss Magdalaine, and he’s missing you something terrible. What his mother meant to say is that he’s staying with his cousin a few miles away. Of course you will see him.”
Alice smiles at her and nods, “We are having a dance on Friday, as you no doubt know, and he hasn’t had a chance to see the house that he designed for them.”
“Tonight we are having a family dinner, tomorrow is the dance. It is settled,” Ismay says, “You will stay with us at the main house, refresh from your journey and see Shepherd tomorrow at the dance.”
Conner squeezes Maggie’s hand, “The decision is yours, Go or stay?”
“Stay,” she sips her tea and smiles, “Thank you for your hospitality. I can’t imagine what you think of us showing up here like this,” she sets her cup down before she spills it.
“Hopefully, you won’t take it too easy on him,” Alice snaps.
Conner laughs, “Exactly what I’ve been saying.”
Maggie covers her face with her hand, “I don’t know what to say,” she whispers.
“You tell him how you feel, all of it, the anger and the joy, and you give him a chance,” Conner insists and Alice sniffs.
“This is going to be the best party! I can’t wait to see his face,” Raphael laughs.
“Doesn’t seem fair to gang up on him,” Conner quips dryly.
“Life isn’t always fair,” Raphael laughs “Would you like a tour of the stables Mr. O’Malley?”
“Absolutely! Mag’s?” he asks.
“Go on, Dad, I’m okay,” she releases his hand and watches them leave.
“I’ll have your trunks brought up to the guest rooms,” Ismay says as Alice nods.
“You must be exhausted. I remember the trail. Let’s get you settled into a guest room and you can take a bath,” Alice shows her upstairs.
“Again, Mrs. Millard, I’m sorry we just showed up unannounced. I guess Shepherd was right, I am too impulsive,” she murmurs as she opens a door on the back of the house.
“Impulsive?” Alice frowns and walks across the room to open the drapes, flooding the room with light. It reveals a door, leading to a small outdoor garden.
“Oh, this is lovely,” Maggie stammers and looks around. A large four poster bed with white linens.
“Thank you. What else did my son say to you?” Alice asks. Maggie drops her head in embarrassment.
“It’s not his fault. I scared him, but I couldn’t let him shoot them,” she lets the tear slips free and jumps when Alice grips her hands.
“Magdalaine, do you love my son?” she asks.
Light blue eyes meet dark and she smiles, “I think I should tell him that first, don’t you?”
“Yes. Shepherd can be intense, Magdalaine, if you let him, he’ll take over, but he doesn’t do it to control. I think he does it to protect.”
“I’ve learned that the hard way,” Maggie laughs softly.
“Tell me,” Alice insists and sits with her as she tells her the story of how they met. “Oh, my Son,” she laughs. “I’ll be honest we know the story, Shep’s father Boone, told me, but I wanted to hear your side. Did they really just think you’d go across the country with a man you barely know?”
“Alice, is he still mad at me?” Maggie asks.
“No, sweetie. I think he’s worried you’ll never forgive him,” she grips her hand. “I’ve never seen him like this. You trusted your heart, Magdalaine, now trust the Lord to guide your next steps.”
“Thank you,” she swipes the tears from her cheeks. “I’d love that bath now.”
“Come see the bathing rooms Shep insisted we add a few years ago.” Alice guides her into a small room. “It’s not large, but it is hot clean water. Alice walks over to a door and opens it revealing a tiled floor, a sink with a mirror and a strange wooden compartment. Alice pulls and two legs fold down, followed by a copper bathtub. The tank is tucked inside the closet above the tub and Alice explains how it works.
“It’s a tucked away shower and tub!” Maggie says.
“We had multiple installed. Your trunks will be brought up and if you lay out your dresses, we will get them steamed.”
“Thank you, Alice.”
Chapter 38
Shep hears the music and sighs. “First thing tomorrow, you’ll be on your way home,” he stares at himself in the mirror. “What does that even mean? Home,” he asks himself. “Home is wherever Magdalaine is?” he whispers.
His beard is gone at his mother’s insistence and he’s dressed in a black tail trim jacket, cut to fit his body. Tan pants, white shirt, and dark charcoal gray vest complete the look.
A knock sounds and his mother calls, “Are you dressed?” his mother, Alice is driving him to distraction. He pulls open the door and she steps inside and smiles up at him.
“Perfect!”
“Are you sure, it will pass inspection?” he teases.
Alice smiles and looks at her son with tears in her dark blue eyes. Her dark hair is streaked with silver but to him she’s the most beautiful Mother in the world.
“I know what you’re hoping mother, that I’ll meet a woman and make a match, but my heart is taken.” She straightens his cravat and pats his chest.
“I understand, Son,” she teases him. “That doesn’t mean you can’t have a good time, before you leave us, again,” she sniffs.
“I promise, Mother, that I will be better about visiting.” He presses a kiss to her forehead, and she straightens. He offers his arm to her, “May I escort you to the ball?”
“Get your own woman,” Boone says from the doorway. They laugh as he makes his way to his wife. “We should go now.”
“I’ll be right down,” Shepherd says.
They smile leaving him to his thoughts. He follows the music to the garden outside the back of the house. Anna and Chandler are mingling with the guests. He nods at them and glances around, finding his parents talking with his Uncle Graham and a man who seems familiar but he’s facing away from him.
His grandfather’s booming laughter sounds out and Shep is smiling before he turns to find him dancing with a light-haired blonde beauty is a gorgeous fuchsia and white gown. Her mesh floral train blows in the wind and Raphael spins her on the wooden dance floor.
